Lens assembly and portable electronic device

ABSTRACT

A lens assembly includes a lens including an optical portion refracting light and a flange portion extending along a portion of a circumference of the optical portion, a blocking member disposed in front of the lens and having an opening to allow light to be incident on the lens, and a lens barrel accommodating the lens. The optical portion is noncircular and a portion of the blocking member facing the optical portion in an optical axis direction is located to be higher than a portion of the blocking member facing the flange portion in the optical axis direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/143,628, filed on Jan. 7, 2021, which is aContinuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/444,005,filed on Jun. 18, 2019, which claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(a) ofKorean Patent Application Nos. 10-2018-0095174 filed on Aug. 14, 2018,and 10-2018-0140774 filed on Nov. 15, 2018, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated hereinby reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

This application relates to a lens assembly and portable electronicdevice.

2. Description of the Background

In portable electronic devices such as smartphones, camera modules arebeing used and, recently, reductions in the size of camera modules to bemounted in portable electronic devices is also required in accordancewith requirements for the miniaturization of portable electronicdevices.

However, in the case in which only the size of a camera module isreduced, there may be a problem in that the performance of a cameramodule is deteriorated. Thus, research into reducing the size of acamera module, while maintaining or improving performance of a cameramodule, is required.

Lenses of camera modules are generally circular, and since image sensorsof camera modules have a rectangular shape, the light refracted bylenses may not all be imaged on the image sensor.

Accordingly, a method of reducing the size of a camera module byreducing the size of a lens by removing an unnecessary portion from thelens may be considered.

However, in a case of only removing a portion of a lens, unnecessarylight, for example, stray light, may be introduced into a space formedbetween a lens barrel and a lens, deteriorating the quality of acaptured image.

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determinationhas been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the abovemight be applicable as prior art with regard to the disclosure.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts insimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

In one general aspect, a lens assembly includes a lens including anoptical portion refracting light and a flange portion extending along aportion of a circumference of the optical portion, a blocking memberdisposed in front of the lens and having an opening to allow light to beincident on the lens, and a lens barrel accommodating the lens. Theoptical portion is noncircular, and a portion of the blocking member,facing the optical portion in an optical axis direction, is located tobe higher than a portion of the blocking member, facing the flangeportion in the optical axis direction.

The blocking member may be in contact with the flange portion and not incontact with the optical portion.

The portion of the blocking member facing the optical portion in theoptical axis direction, may have an arc shape.

The optical portion may include a first edge and a second edge having anarc shape when viewed in the optical axis direction, and a third edgeand a fourth edge, connecting the first edge and the second edge to eachother.

The flange portion may extend from the first edge and the second edge.

Boundaries between the third and fourth edges and the blocking membermay be located to be higher than boundaries between the first and secondedges and the blocking member, in the optical axis direction.

Object sides of the third edge and the fourth edge may have an arc shapewhen viewed in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis.

A surface of the blocking member, facing the third edge and the fourthedge in the optical axis direction, may have an arc shape when viewed inthe direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

The blocking member may include a first portion and a second portionopposing each other, and a third portion and a fourth portion opposingeach other, and a space surrounded by the first portion to the fourthportion may form the opening, the first portion and the second portionmay be located in a position corresponding to the flange portion, andthe third portion and the fourth portion may be located in a position inwhich portions of the third and fourth portions correspond to theoptical portion.

A virtual straight line, connecting a lower surface of the first portionand a lower surface of the second portion to each other at a shortestdistance, while passing through an optical axis, may be located on aplane different from a plane on which a virtual straight line,connecting a lower surface of the third portion and a lower surface ofthe fourth portion to each other at a shortest distance, while passingthrough the optical axis, is located.

An object-side surface of the optical portion may be convex.

The opening may be noncircular.

A portable electronic device may include the lens assembly, an imagesensor configured to convert light incident through the optical portiondisposed in the lens barrel to an electrical signal, and a display unitdisposed on a surface of the portable electronic device to display animage based on the electrical signal.

In another general aspect, a lens assembly includes a lens including anoptical portion refracting light and a flange portion extending along aportion of a circumference of the optical portion, a blocking memberdisposed in front of the lens and having an opening to allow light to beincident on the lens, and a lens barrel accommodating the lens. Theoptical portion is noncircular, and a portion of the blocking member,facing the optical portion in an optical axis direction, has an arcshape.

The blocking member may include a first portion and a second portion incontact with the flange portion, and a third portion and a fourthportion not in contact with the optical portion and connecting the firstportion and the second portion to each other.

An object-side surface of the optical portion may be convex, and atleast a portion of the third portion and at least a portion of thefourth portion may be disposed to cover a portion of the optical portionin the optical axis direction.

In another general aspect, a blocking member for a lens assemblyincludes first opposing sides to block incident light and having lowersurfaces disposed in a first plane, second opposing sides to blockincident light and having lower surfaces disposed above the first planein an optical axis direction, and an opening disposed between the firstand second opposing sides to pass incident light therethrough.

The lower surfaces of the second opposing sides may have an arc shapeextending in a convex or concave direction along the optical axisdirection.

A portable electronic device may include the blocking member, a lens torefract the incident light and having a convex or concave portion and aplanar portion of a side disposed facing the blocking member, an imagesensor configured to convert light incident through the lens to anelectrical signal, and a display unit disposed on a surface of theportable electronic device to display an image based on the electricalsignal, wherein the lower surfaces of the first opposing sides maycontact the planar portion and the lower surfaces of the second opposingsides may be spaced apart from and follow the contour of the convex orconcave portion.

Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detaileddescription, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lens assembly according to an example.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a lens according to an example.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of a lens and a blocking memberaccording to an example.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a lens and a blocking member according to anexample.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a lens and a blocking member according to anexample.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a blocking member according to anexample.

FIG. 8 is a first side view of a blocking member according to anexample.

FIG. 9 is a second side view of a blocking member according to anexample.

FIG. 10 is a perspective diagram illustrating a portable electronicdevice according to an example.

Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, the same referencenumerals refer to the same elements. The drawings may not be to scale,and the relative size, proportions, and depiction of elements in thedrawings may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader ingaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses,and/or systems described herein. However, various changes,modifications, and equivalents of the methods, apparatuses, and/orsystems described herein will be apparent after an understanding of thedisclosure of this application. For example, the sequences of operationsdescribed herein are merely examples, and are not limited to those setforth herein, but may be changed as will be apparent after anunderstanding of the disclosure of this application, with the exceptionof operations necessarily occurring in a certain order. Also,descriptions of features that are known in the art may be omitted forincreased clarity and conciseness.

The features described herein may be embodied in different forms, andare not to be construed as being limited to the examples describedherein. Rather, the examples described herein have been provided merelyto illustrate some of the many possible ways of implementing themethods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein that will beapparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this application.Hereinafter, while embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, it isnoted that examples are not limited to the same.

Throughout the specification, when an element, such as a layer, region,or substrate, is described as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupledto” another element, it may be directly “on,” “connected to,” or“coupled to” the other element, or there may be one or more otherelements intervening therebetween. In contrast, when an element isdescribed as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directlycoupled to” another element, there can be no other elements interveningtherebetween.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any one and any combinationof any two or more of the associated listed items; likewise, “at leastone of” includes any one and any combination of any two or more of theassociated listed items.

Although terms such as “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used hereinto describe various members, components, regions, layers, or sections,these members, components, regions, layers, or sections are not to belimited by these terms. Rather, these terms are only used to distinguishone member, component, region, layer, or section from another member,component, region, layer, or section. Thus, a first member, component,region, layer, or section referred to in examples described herein mayalso be referred to as a second member, component, region, layer, orsection without departing from the teachings of the examples, andsimilarly, the second member, component, region, layer, or section mayalso be referred to as a first member, component, region, layer, orsection.

Spatially relative terms such as “above,” “upper,” “below,” and “lower”may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element'srelationship to another element as shown in the figures. Such spatiallyrelative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of thedevice in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted inthe figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over,an element described as being “above” or “upper” relative to anotherelement will then be “below” or “lower” relative to the other element.Thus, the term “above” encompasses both the above and below orientationsdepending on the spatial orientation of the device. The device may alsobe oriented in other ways (for example, rotated 90 degrees or at otherorientations), and the spatially relative terms used herein are to beinterpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for describing various examples only, andis not to be used to limit the disclosure. The articles “a,” “an,” and“the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless thecontext clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “includes,”and “has” specify the presence of stated features, numbers, operations,members, elements, and/or combinations thereof, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, operations,members, elements, and/or combinations thereof.

Due to manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, variations of theshapes shown in the drawings may occur. Thus, the examples describedherein are not limited to the specific shapes shown in the drawings, butinclude changes in shape that occur during manufacturing.

The features of the examples described herein may be combined in variousways as will be apparent after an understanding of the disclosure ofthis application. Further, although the examples described herein have avariety of configurations, other configurations are possible as will beapparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this application.

Herein, it is noted that use of the term “may” with respect to anexample, for example, as to what an example may include or implement,means that at least one example exists in which such a feature isincluded or implemented while all examples are not limited thereto.

Examples are described herein of a lens assembly, in which the size of alens assembly may be reduced while securing the performance of a lensassembly. A lens assembly according to an example may be provided in acamera module mounted on a portable electronic device.

In the examples described herein, a portable electronic device may referto a portable electronic device such as a mobile communicationsterminal, a smartphone, a tablet PC, or the like.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lens assembly according to an example,and FIG. 2 is a plan view of a lens according to an example.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a lens assembly according to an exampleincludes a lens 100, a blocking member 200, and a lens barrel 300.

The lens 100 is accommodated in the lens barrel 300. For example, when aplurality of lenses are accommodated in the lens barrel 300, theplurality of lenses are disposed along an optical axis.

The lens 100 includes an optical portion 110 and a flange portion 130.

The optical portion 110 may be a portion in which optical performance ofthe lens 100 is exhibited. In an example, light reflected from a subjectmay be refracted while passing through the optical portion 110.

The optical portion 110 may have a positive or negative refractivepower, and may have a spherical or aspherical shape.

The optical portion 110 includes an object-side surface OS, for example,a surface facing an object side, and an image-side surface IS, forexample, a surface facing an image side. In the present example, theobject-side surface is convex, and the image-side surface is concave.

The flange portion 130 may be a portion fixing the lens 100 to anotherstructure, for example, the lens barrel 300 or another lens.

The flange portion 130 extends around a portion of the optical portion110, and may be integrally formed with the optical portion 110.

On the other hand, the lens assembly according to an example may havecharacteristics of a telephoto lens having a relatively narrow angle ofview. In an example, the angle of view of the lens assembly may be 40degrees or less.

The optical portion 110 and the flange portion 130 are formed to have anoncircular shape. For example, the optical portion 110 and the flangeportion 130 have a noncircular shape when viewed in an optical axisdirection (see FIG. 2 ).

The optical portion 110 includes a first edge 111, a second edge 112, athird edge 113, and a fourth edge 114. The first edge 111 and the secondedge 112 are located to oppose each other, and the third edge 113 andthe fourth edge 114 are located to oppose each other. The third edge 113and the fourth edge 114 respectively connect the first edge 111 and thesecond edge 112 to each other.

The first edge 111 and the second edge 112 include an arc shape, and thethird edge 113 and the fourth edge 114 include a substantially linearshape, when viewed in the optical axis direction (see FIG. 2 ).

Since the object-side surface OS of the optical portion 110 is convex,object sides of the third edge 113 and the fourth edge 114 of theoptical portion 110 have an arc shape when viewed in a directionperpendicular to the optical axis direction (see FIG. 6 ).

Referring to FIG. 2 , the flange portion 130 includes a first flangeportion 131 and a second flange portion 132. The first flange portion131 extends from the first edge 111 of the optical portion 110, and thesecond flange portion 132 extends from the second edge 112 of theoptical portion 110.

The first edge 111 of the optical portion 110 may refer to a portionadjacent to the first flange portion 131, and the second edge 112 of theoptical portion 110 may refer to a portion adjacent to the second flangeportion 132.

The third edge 113 of the optical portion 110 may refer to one side ofthe optical portion 110, in which the flange portion 130 is not formed,and the fourth edge 114 of the optical portion 110 may refer to theother side of the optical portion 110, in which the flange portion 130is not formed.

The lens 100 is formed of a plastic material, and is injection-moldedthrough a mold. In this case, the lens 100 according to the example isnot formed by cutting a portion of the lens after injection molding, butis formed to have the above-described shape during the injectionmolding.

Since the lens generally has a substantially circular shape and theimage sensor of the camera module has a rectangular shape, lightrefracted by a circular lens is not all imaged on the image sensor.

Thus, unnecessary portions are removed from the optical portion of thelens to reduce the size of the lens, thereby reducing the size of thecamera module.

For example, if a portion of the lens is removed after injectionmolding, the lens may be deformed by force applied to the lens duringthe removal process. In the case in which the lens is deformed, opticalperformance of the lens is inevitably changed.

However, in the case of the lens 100 according to the example of thepresent disclosure, since the optical portion 110 and the flange portion130 of the lens 100 are formed to have a noncircular shape at the timeof performing an injection process, the size of the lens 100 may bereduced, and performance of the lens 100 may also be secured.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of a lens and a blocking memberaccording to an example, FIG. 5 is a plan view of a lens and a blockingmember according to an example, and FIG. 6 is a side view of a lens anda blocking member according to an example.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a blocking member according to anexample, FIG. 8 is a first side view of a blocking member according toan example, and FIG. 9 is a second side view of a blocking memberaccording to an example.

The blocking member 200 is disposed in front of the lens 100, forexample, toward the object side, and is coupled to the lens barrel 300and/or the lens 100.

The blocking member 200 may be provided separately from the lens barrel300, or may be integrally formed with the lens barrel 300.

The blocking member 200 has a substantially quadrangular frame shape,and has an opening 210 disposed in a central portion thereof, such thatlight may be incident on the lens 100.

The blocking member 200 includes a first portion 211, a second portion212, a third portion 213 and a fourth portion 214. The first portion 211and the second portion 212 are disposed to oppose each other, and thethird portion 213 and the fourth portion 214 are disposed to oppose eachother. The third portion 213 and the fourth portion 214 respectivelyconnect the first portion 211 and the second portion 212 to each other.

A space surrounded by the first to fourth portions 211 to 214 forms theopening 210. The opening 210 has a noncircular shape like the shape ofthe optical portion 110.

The blocking member 200 is in contact with the flange portion 130, andis not in contact with the optical portion 110.

The first portion 211 of the blocking member 200 is disposed in aposition corresponding to the first flange portion 131 of the lens 100,and the second portion 212 of the blocking member 200 is disposed in aposition corresponding to the second flange portion 132 of the lens 100.

The first portion 211 of the blocking member 200 contacts the firstflange portion 131 of the lens 100, and the second portion 212 of theblocking member 200 contacts the second flange portion 132 of the lens100.

The third portion 213 of the blocking member 200 is disposed in aposition in which at least a portion thereof corresponds to the thirdedge 113 of the optical portion 110 of the lens 100, and the fourthportion 214 of the blocking member 200 is disposed in a position inwhich at least a portion thereof corresponds to the fourth edge 114 ofthe optical portion 110 of the lens 100.

The third portion 213 of the blocking member 200 is not in contact withthe third edge 113 of the optical portion 110 of the lens 100, and thefourth portion 214 of the blocking member 200 is not in contact with thefourth edge 114 of the optical portion 110 of the lens 100. For example,the third portion 213 of the blocking member 200 may be spaced apartfrom the third edge 113 of the optical portion 110 of the lens 100, andthe fourth portion 214 of the blocking member 200 may be spaced apartfrom the fourth edge 114 of the optical portion 110 of the lens 100.

In the present example, at least a portion of the third portion 213 ofthe blocking member 200 is disposed to cover the third edge 113 of theoptical portion 110 of the lens 100 in the optical axis direction. Atleast a portion of the fourth portion 214 of the blocking member 200 isdisposed to cover the fourth edge 114 of the optical portion 110 of thelens 100 in the optical axis direction.

At least a portion of the blocking member 200 facing the optical portion110 in the optical axis direction includes an arc shape.

Since an object side of the third edge 113 of the optical portion 110 ofthe lens 100 has an arc shape, the third portion 213 of the blockingmember 200 also has an arc shape. For example, an image side of thethird portion 213 of the blocking member 200 has an arc shapecorresponding to the object side of the third edge 113 of the opticalportion 110. On the other hand, the object side of the third portion 213of the blocking member 200 may also have an arc shape.

Since the object side of the fourth edge 114 of the optical portion 110of the lens 100 has an arc shape, the fourth portion 214 of the blockingmember 200 also has an arc shape. For example, the image side of thefourth portion 214 of the blocking member 200 has an arc shapecorresponding to the object side of the fourth edge 114 of the opticalportion 110. On the other hand, the object side of the fourth portion214 of the blocking member 200 may also have an arc shape.

At least a portion of the blocking member 200, facing the opticalportion 110 in the optical axis direction, is located to be higher thana portion of the blocking member 200, facing the flange portion 130 inthe optical axis direction.

For example, boundaries between the third edge 113 and the fourth edge114 of the optical portion 110 and the blocking member 200 are locatedto be higher than boundaries between the first edge 111 and the secondedge 112 of the optical portion 110 and the blocking member 200, in theoptical axis direction.

For example, when a virtual straight line L1 (hereinafter, referred toas a first straight line) connecting a lower surface of the firstportion 211 and a lower surface of the second portion 212 at a shortestdistance, while passing through an optical axis, is defined as the firststraight line, and a virtual straight line L2 (hereinafter, referred toas a second straight line) connecting a lower surface of the thirdportion 213 and a lower surface of the fourth portion 214 at a shortestdistance, while passing through the optical axis, is defined as thesecond straight line; the first straight line L1 and the second straightline L2 are located on different planes. For example, the secondstraight line L2 is positioned to be higher than the first straight lineL1 in the optical axis direction (see FIG. 7 ).

For example, a position of the opening 210 formed in the third edge 113and the fourth edge 114 of the optical portion 110 of the lens 100 isdifferent from a position of the opening 210 formed in the first edge111 and the second edge 112 of the optical portion 110 of the lens 100.In this case, the position refers to a position in the optical axisdirection.

A boundary between the optical portion 110 and the flange portion 130 ofthe lens 100 is formed in substantially the same position in the opticalaxis direction along a circumference. The boundary between the opticalportion 110 and the flange portion 130 is a boundary between the firstedge 111 and the first flange portion 131, and/or between the secondedge 112 and the second flange portion 132.

On the other hand, since an object side of the third edge 113 of theoptical portion 110 and an object side of the fourth edge 114 thereofhave an arc shape, positions thereof in the optical axis direction arenot constant.

Thus, if a position of the opening 210 formed by the blocking member 200is constant in the optical axis direction, since a space is inevitablyformed between the optical portion 110 of the lens 100 and the blockingmember 200, unnecessary light, stray light, is introduced into thespace, which adversely affects an image quality.

However, in the case of the lens assembly according to examples in thepresent disclosure, since the position of the opening 210 formed by theblocking member 200 is formed to correspond to the arc shape of theoptical portion 110 of the lens 100, unnecessary light may be preventedfrom entering the inside of the lens assembly.

On the other hand, the lens barrel 300 and the lens 100 are configuredin such a manner that two surfaces thereof contact each other. Forexample, the first flange portion 131 and the second flange portion 132of the lens 100 are configured to contact an inner surface of the lensbarrel 300, and the optical portion 110 of the lens 100 is configured tonot contact the inner surface of the lens barrel 300.

For example, the third edge 113 and the fourth edge 114 of the opticalportion 110 of the lens 100 are disposed to be spaced apart from theinner surface of the lens barrel 300 in a direction perpendicular to theoptical axis.

Thus, a predetermined space is formed between the third edge 113 of theoptical portion 110 of the lens 100 and the lens barrel 300, and apredetermined space is also formed between the fourth edge 114 of theoptical portion 110 of the lens 100 and the lens barrel 300.

Even in the case of formation of the space as described above, with thelens assembly according to the example of the present disclosure,unnecessary light may be prevented from entering the space between theoptical part 110 of the lens 100 and the lens barrel 300, by theblocking member 200.

As described above in the examples, the lens assembly according to anexample may reduce the size, while securing performance, of the lensassembly.

FIG. 10 is a perspective diagram illustrating a portable electronicdevice according to an example. The portable electronic device 1 mayinclude a camera module 10. The camera module 10 may include the lensassembly illustrated in FIG. 1 including the lens 100, the blockingmember 200, and the lens barrel 300, and an image sensor 30.

The portable electronic device 1, may further include a display unit 20,wherein the camera module 10 is installed as a front camera of theportable electronic device 10 along with the display unit 20 or as aback camera on a side of the portable electronic device 10 other than aside with the display unit 20. In an example, light incident through thelens 100 may impinge on the image sensor 30. An electrical signalconverted by the image sensor 30 of the camera module 10 may be outputas an image via the display unit 20 of the portable electronic device10.

As set forth in the examples described herein, the size of the lensassembly may be reduced while securing the performance thereof, allowingthe size of the portable electronic device to also be reduced.

While specific examples have been shown and described above, it will beapparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this applicationthat various changes in form and details may be made in these exampleswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and theirequivalents. The examples described herein are to be considered in adescriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptionsof features or aspects in each example are to be considered as beingapplicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. Suitableresults may be achieved if the described techniques are performed in adifferent order, and/or if components in a described system,architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner,and/or replaced or supplemented by other components or theirequivalents. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure is defined not bythe detailed description, but by the claims and their equivalents, andall variations within the scope of the claims and their equivalents areto be construed as being included in the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lens assembly comprising: a lens comprising anoptical portion refracting light and a flange portion extending along aportion of a circumference of the optical portion; a blocking memberdisposed in front of the lens and comprising an opening to allow lightto be incident on the lens; and a lens barrel accommodating the lens,wherein a length of the lens in a first direction perpendicular to anoptical axis is longer than a length of the lens in a second directionperpendicular to the optical axis and the first direction, and wherein aportion of the blocking member, facing the optical portion in an opticalaxis direction, is located to be higher than a portion of the blockingmember, facing the flange portion in the optical axis direction.
 2. Thelens assembly of claim 1, wherein the blocking member is in contact withthe flange portion and is not in contact with the optical portion. 3.The lens assembly of claim 1, wherein the portion of the blocking memberfacing the optical portion in the optical axis direction, comprises anarc shape.
 4. The lens assembly of claim 1, wherein the optical portioncomprises a first edge and a second edge having an arc shape when viewedin the optical axis direction, and a third edge and a fourth edge,connecting the first edge and the second edge to each other.
 5. The lensassembly of claim 4, wherein the flange portion extends from the firstedge and the second edge.
 6. The lens assembly of claim 4, whereinboundaries between the third and fourth edges and the blocking memberare located to be higher than boundaries between the first and secondedges and the blocking member, in the optical axis direction.
 7. Thelens assembly of claim 4, wherein object sides of the third edge and thefourth edge comprise an arc shape when viewed in a directionperpendicular to the optical axis.
 8. The lens assembly of claim 7,wherein a surface of the blocking member, facing the third edge and thefourth edge in the optical axis direction, comprises an arc shape whenviewed in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.
 9. The lensassembly of claim 1, wherein the blocking member comprises a firstportion and a second portion opposing each other, and a third portionand a fourth portion opposing each other, wherein a space surrounded bythe first portion to the fourth portion forms the opening, the firstportion and the second portion are located in a position correspondingto the flange portion, and the third portion and the fourth portion arelocated in a position in which portions of the third and fourth portionscorrespond to the optical portion.
 10. The lens assembly of claim 9,wherein a virtual straight line, connecting a lower surface of the firstportion and a lower surface of the second portion to each other at ashortest distance, while passing through the optical axis, is located ona plane different from a plane on which a virtual straight line,connecting a lower surface of the third portion and a lower surface ofthe fourth portion to each other at a shortest distance, while passingthrough the optical axis, is located.
 11. The lens assembly of claim 1,wherein an object-side surface of the optical portion is convex.
 12. Thelens assembly of claim 1, wherein a length of the opening in the firstdirection perpendicular to the optical axis is longer than a length ofthe opening in the second direction perpendicular to the optical axisand the first direction.
 13. The lens assembly of claim 1, wherein theblocking member is coupled to the lens barrel.
 14. A portable electronicdevice, comprising: the lens assembly of claim 1; an image sensorconfigured to convert light incident through the optical portiondisposed in the lens barrel to an electrical signal; and a display unitdisposed on a surface of the portable electronic device to display animage based on the electrical signal.
 15. A blocking member for a lensassembly, comprising: first opposing sides including a first side and asecond side disposed to oppose each other to block incident light andcomprising lower surfaces disposed in a first plane; second opposingsides including a third side and a fourth side disposed to oppose eachother to block incident light and comprising lower surfaces disposedabove the first plane in an optical axis direction, the third side andthe fourth side respectively connecting the first side and the secondside to each other; and an opening encompassed by the first side, thesecond side, the third side and the fourth side so as to be formedbetween the first and second opposing sides to pass incident lighttherethrough, wherein a distance through a center of the opening betweenthe first side and the second side is longer than a distance though thecenter of the opening between the third side and the fourth side. 16.The blocking member of claim 15, wherein the lower surfaces of thesecond opposing sides comprise an arc shape extending in a convex orconcave direction along the optical axis direction.
 17. A portableelectronic device comprising: the blocking member of claim 15; a lens torefract the incident light and comprising a convex or concave portionand a planar portion of a side disposed facing the blocking member; animage sensor configured to convert light incident through the lens to anelectrical signal; and a display unit disposed on a surface of theportable electronic device to display an image based on the electricalsignal, wherein the lower surfaces of the first opposing sides contactthe planar portion and the lower surfaces of the second opposing sidesare spaced apart from and follow the contour of the convex or concaveportion.